Search Results for: czech republic

The name, Czech, comes from the Slavic tribes who subdued the surrounding tribes in the late ninth century and created the Czech/Bohemian state. Legend says the name came from their leader, Cech, who brought them there. In 1993 Czechoslovakia split, peacefully, into two countries and today they are called Czech Republic and Slovakia. Although the Czech’s are not happy that their nation is called Czech Republic, they have not been able to agree on a new name. Many Czechs refer to themselves as Bohemian.

Czech Republic is a landlocked country in central Europe. Her neighbors are: Germany to the north and west, Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the southeast and Austria to the south. Czechs make up most of the population, however there is a small minority of Moravians in the eastern hilly region and also some Slovaks. The official language is Czech, however German, Polish and Romani are also spoken.

Czech Republic has a long and sordid history of invaders and was part of many empires. Most notably, in recent times, was Hitler’s invasion, in 1939. Over 100,000 Jews lived in the Czech lands in 1939, yet only several thousand remained or returned after the Holocaust in 1945. Czechoslovakia remained under communist control until 1989 when the Democratic Party won control, thanks to what was known as the Velvet (or gentle) Revolution.

The capital city, Prague, is nick-named, “The Golden City of one thousand spires.” The Hradcany Castle was built as the residence of the King of Bohemia and today is where the president of the Czech Republic resides. It is just one of many castles, as Czech Republic has one of the highest densities of castles in the world. Prague is now an internationally known tourist destination. It is a beautiful and romantic city surrounded by the Vitava River. There is Old Town, on one side of the river and Lesser Town, on the other.

The magical and historical atmosphere is captured through ten centuries of architecture, sculptures and monuments. Prague is also home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, in continuous operation. The Charles University has educated students since 1348 and educated they are, as 90 percent of the population has completed at least a secondary education.

Another major attraction is the Charles Bridge. A stone gothic bridge donned with many baroque statues, it connects the Old Town and Lesser Town. Commissioned by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, constructed in 1357, it is said to have been built with egg yolks mixed in the mortar to strengthen the construction. The Charles Bridge has survived many floods, including one in 2002 that was the worst in the past 500 years. Who knows, maybe this is ‘eggsactly’ why it remains standing.

Speaking of bridges, there is a tradition on a bridge, near the impromptu John Lennon wall, where love padlocks are found on a pedestrian bridge. Couples lock on a padlock to symbolize their love and throw the key in the river. This bridge in the Mala Strana district of Prague is considered to be one of the top ten love lock bridges in the world.

A couple of more interesting legends surrounding Prague; the Crown jewels and the Astronomical clock. The Crown jewels are amazing artifacts from Charles the IV of 1347. It is said these priceless treasures, the crown (which is dressed with precious sapphires, rubies, emeralds and pearls and said to have a thorn from Jesus Christ’s crucifixion), the sceptre and orb, are all made of gold and laced in gems and now held secure in the iron safe of the Prague Castle. It requires seven keys held by seven dignitaries, from the Prime Minister to the Mayer of Prague, who all must be present and insert a key for the safe to be opened for any viewing of the jewels.

The Astronomical clock in Old Town, was created in 1410 and considered a mechanical marvel. The maker had his eyes burnt out with a poker by the powers that be so that he would never recreate such an amazing piece of work anywhere else. It is most spectacular, as every hour on the hour, the 12 apostles, followed by the skeletal figure of death, are mechanically paraded across the clock. Tourists gather around every hour to witness this exceptional marvel.

Czech Republic is renowned for its glasswork. It has a century’s long history of being internationally recognized for its high quality craftsmanship, beauty and often innovative designs. Hand-cut, engraved, blown and painted, decorative glassware, ranging from champagne flutes to enormous chandeliers, ornaments, figurines and other glass items are among the best known Czech exports and immensely popular as tourist souvenirs.

Český Krumlov, is a quaint little village in Czech Republic, a few hours outside of Prague and is like stepping back in time. The clay-tiled roofs of the town spread out below an imposing, yet beautiful, fairy-tale style, castle on a cliff. In true epic tales, in the 1600s, the Lord of the castle’s son, was a depraved bastard of the Holy Roman Emperor, who ended up murdering and disfiguring the local barber’s daughter. Built in the late 13th century, it has been remodeled and restored several times over. Castle Krumlov boasts architectural features from a number of historical periods, including rococo gardens and an ornate Baroque theater. After the 1989 Velvet Revolution, the most recent restorations have all but erased the signs of neglect from the Communist era.

Czechs today have many celebrations and one that has been around for centuries, is Czech Easter, called Velikonce, which means “Great nights.” Many villages observe their own unique Easter customs and traditions. Egg decoration is one tradition, but another interesting tradition is the pomlazka; a braided whip constructed of pussywillow twigs. For centuries young boys on Easter Monday would go caroling and symbolically whip girls on the legs. Even farmers’ wives, would whip livestock and everyone in the house, including men and children. Why, you ask? To chase away illness and bad spirits and bring good health and youth to everyone who gets whipped. Christmas is another treasured holiday and one where carp is served as part of a nine course meal. Carp are raised in manmade ponds and then sold in large tubs in the town squares, a few days before Christmas.

The Czechs also grow hops and adore their beer. In fact, they are the number one beer drinking nation in the world and have been brewing it since 1118. Czechs love meeting in pubs and sharing a local brew with friends and family. If you were to visit there, it is considered good manners for the man to walk into a restaurant or pub ahead of the woman. This is so the man can clear a path and find a spot for them to sit.

One of the more famous spirits in Czech Republic is called Becherovka. It is an herbal bitters, produced since 1794 according to a secret recipe. It is said to have medicinal qualities to cure almost anything, from being a digestive aid to soothing arthritis. Only two people in the world know the formula, (carried on from generation to generation) and once a week, those two enter a room to mix all the herbal ingredients together. Alone it has quite a bite. It’s much more refreshing when mixed with tonic water. Right away, you’ll notice that things have smoothed out. The bitterness is still there, but restrained. The expansive taste of cloves and cinnamon (and perhaps allspice) are especially evident.

A favorite pastime in autumn, is mushroom foraging. Thousands of Czech nationals gather annually during the St. Vaclav Day (the weekend closest to September 28) and head to the forest to collect their treasured fungi. These mushrooms are delicious in soup, which is often their first course of a meal.

The cuisine of the Czech Republic is heavily influenced by both their neighbors and previous rulers. Their cuisine shares many common dishes with Austria, Hungary, and Germany. These dishes include: goulash, wiener schnitzel and gnocchi, to name a few. Czech food reflects their short growing season and historic availability of meat. Czech cuisine is not really known for its use of vegetables (except mushrooms, potatoes and cabbage), but that is slowly changing. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat and the national dish is a roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, called Vepro Knedlo Zelo.

So let’s eat Czech style:

The Menu
Appetizer
Nakládaný Hermelín (Pickled soft Czech cheese)

Soup
‘Kulajda’ (A Šumava mushroom and potato soup with egg)

Main Course
Svíčková na smetaně (Beef sirloin with vegetable cream sauce)

Served with Houskový Knedlík (Bread dumplings)

Dessert
Palačinky (Pancake rolled with jam)

We decorated the table in the Czech Republic flag colors of red, white and blue. We also used their very cool looking, double tailed lion, which is on the coat of arms. In celebration of the love lock bridge and for May 1st, the Time of Love, (where couples gather at the statue of Karel Hynek Macha, the Czech romantic “poet of love”, in Prague’s Petrin Park) we decorated with roses, their national flower. We began the meal with a reading of the epic poem Maj (May.) The poem, written in a remarkably beautiful style, tells about the tragic love of two young people and has become a masterpiece of the Czech, Romantic period and Czech literature in general.

We began with a toast of a good Czech pilsner and “Nazdrovie” (to your health) and “doubrou chut” (bon appetite.) Our Czech feast started off with pub fare; a delicious, pickled soft cheese smeared on freshly baked bread. It was scrumptious and perfectly paired with the beer.

Next we had a small portion of the soup that was made with mushrooms, potatoes and dill. This soup recipe comes from the mountain region of Krkonose. It was creamy, hearty and would easily make a wonderful lunch with some nice crusty bread. I served only a small sampling because I knew what was yet to come.

The main course was a very popular dish called, Svíčková na smetaně. This beef sirloin was outstanding and was complemented with a vegetable cream sauce. The meat was perfectly tender and the cream sauce was delectable. (I wanted to lick the plate, which I didn’t do, as that would not be considered good manners.) And oh my, those bread dumplings for which the Czechs are famous, they are something to be treasured. This meal is typically served with a side of loganberries, which are similar to a cranberries and that is what I used, served with a slice of lemon. The meal was reminiscent of an American Thanksgiving feast, even though it was beef instead of turkey.

For dessert, we put on some polka music, for which the Czechs are most famed and cherished the Palačinky. This is a pancake rolled with strawberry jam and smothered in whip cream with a strawberry on top. It is immediately evident why this is so popular. Awesome, I could eat this anytime of day… Outstanding!

As we leave this country called Czech Republic, we do so with the most inspiring film that I hope you can somehow find, as it is truly worthy. The documentary is called “The Woman in Room Six.” It is available on Netflix and is about a 109 year old woman from Czech Republic, who was a Holocaust survivor and a musician. If we can all just be a little more like Alice-Herz Sommer, wow, what a world it would be! Here is the link to a snippet. https://youtu.be/8oxO3M6rAPw

Enjoy!
Warmest regards,
Darlene

How did Slovakia get its name?

The native name, Slovensko, is derived from the older name of the Slovak people.  Sloven was what they were called in 1791.  The name Slovaks stems from the Czech word, Slovaky.  The Germans called it Windischen landen and Windenland, back in the 15^th century.  Today the official name is the Slovak Republic, although it is generally referred to as Slovakia.  The Slovakians still call their country Slovensko, in their Slovak language.

Where is Slovakia located?

Slovakia is a landlocked country located literally, in the center of Europe.  It has many neighbors, the Czech Republic on the northwest, Poland to the north, Ukraine and Hungary to the east and Austria to the southwest.  The capital city is Bratislava, which lies in the extreme southwestern corner, close to the border with Austria. 

This small country boasts an astounding variety of scenery, from mountains, canyons, and caves (about 6000 of them), to lakes, forests and lowland meadows.  Slovakia’s natural beauty makes it an ideal year-round destination, for outdoor enthusiasts.  The country enjoys four seasons and belongs to the northern, moderate climatic zone.

A brief history of Slovakia

Slavs settled in what is now Slovakia, back in the sixth century AD.  They were taken over by the Avars, until they drove them out at the end of the eighth century.  In the ninth century, they became part of what was known as Great Moravia.  During this time, St. Cyril and St Methodius converted Slovakia to Christianity.  However in the 10^th century, a people called the Magyars destroyed the Moravian empire.  They settled down and formed the state of Hungary but they still ruled Slovakia.  Hungary would rule Slovakia for the next 1000 years!

Sometime after 1526, Hungary was dismembered and Slovakia became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  In the late 19^th century, the Hungarians tried to “Hungarianize” Slovakia.  To escape oppression may Slovaks emigrated to the USA.  In 1918 Austria collapsed and the new Czech, Slovak, state was born.  It was called Czechoslovakia.  Many Germans lived in the border region of Czechoslovakia, called Sudetenland.  On March 15, 1939, the German army occupied the rest of what is now known as the Czech Republic.  Slovakia became nominally independent.  The new Slovak government was led by Jozef Tiso who introduced a repressive regime.  During World War II about 73,000 Slovak Jews along, with Romas, were deported to be murdered.  In 1946 the communists emerged as the largest party in the region.  

In 1993 Slovakia and the Czech Republic separated and became independent.  Slovakia performed poorly at first, suffering from high unemployment in the beginning of the 21^st century, but she has recently made good strides.  They became part of the EU in 2004, and joined NATO in 2009.  Zuzana Caputova was elected the first woman president of Slovakia in 2019, and serves a population of 5.4 million Slovakians. Today Slovakia is run as a parliamentary democracy.

Slovakian Culture

Slovakia has a rich, folklore tradition with nearly every region, city and municipality, having their own unique character.  Costumes, music, songs, architecture, customs and dances are preserved in festivals that are held all over the country.  They even have the first architectural village in the world, featuring all original gingerbread houses.  The first mention of this village dates back to 1272.  Many Slovak folklore traditions relate to birth and dying, and several in the fear of the unknown and an inability to explain natural events.  With the arrival of Christianity, new customs and traditions took hold, with Christmas and Easter being two of the most important holidays.  Christianity is the predominant religion in Slovakia with 66 percent being Catholic and about 10 percent being part of the Protestant religion.  There are a total of 18 religions and churches registered there. 

Namedays are another important part of Slovak heritage, with each day of the year representing one or two names.  When your name comes up on the calendar it is a party just like a birthday would be.

The official language is Slovak and it is a Slavic language like Russian, Polish and many other East European languages.  It is very similar to Czech and they can readily understand each other.  Slovak is said to be one of the most difficult languages to learn.

Slovakia is home to the largest number of castles and chateaus per capita in the world.  They are also famous for their many natural, thermal spas.  The healing water is said to be very therapeutic.  Kings, politicians and famous people, swear by it.  The water is said to treat the sick, regenerate the tired and bring out a person’s natural beauty.

Slovakian Cuisine

Slovakia takes its cuisine’s cues from its neighbors.  It features a hearty cuisine, similar to many Eastern European nations.  Their most famous dish is called halusky, which is a potato type, dumpling that is smothered in cheese, but not just any cheese.  It is a sheep’s cheese called bryndza.  This decadent dish is topped off with bits of bacon and is the ultimate example of a true, comfort food.   

Nearly every meal in Slovakia will begin with a soup as a starter.  They enjoy soups made from beans, tripe, chicken and noodles.  Their most famous, sauerkraut soup is often served in a bread bowl, called kapustinica.  Goulash is another staple made from various vegetables, potatoes and meat. 

Pork, beef and poultry are the main meats in Slovakia, with pork being the most popular.  Every part of the pig is used and made into dried meats as well as delicious sausages, some made with pork blood and rice.  Chicken Paprikash is another very popular dish.  Most meat dishes are either breaded or fried in oil, like a schnitzel.  

The traditional food of Slovakia can be traced back to times when the population lived self-sufficiently in villages with very limited imports.  This gave rise to a cuisine dependent on staple foods like wheat, potatoes, milk and milk products, pork, sauerkraut, onions and wild mushrooms.  Spices are not widely used in their cuisine.  

The main meal of the day is typically lunch and consists of a soup, main dish and dessert.  Beer is their most popular drink. 

So let’s enjoy a Slovakian meal:

The Menu

Starter

Kapustinca (Sauerkraut Soup)

Main Course

Bryndzove Halusky (Sheep Cheese Dumplings)

Dessert

Jablcka V Zupane (Apples in a Bathrobe)

We set the scene with colors of the Slovakian flag; red white and blue.  We placed a few potatoes in the décor, as it is a true staple ingredient, along with a cross to represent Christianity and a hockey stick to represent one of their most beloved sports.  A candle with a picture of their famous Orava castle on it, dating back to 1267, completed the setting.

We began the meal by saying, “Do brou chut” which is the cue to begin eating.  We then toasted with a beer and said “Naz dravie” which means “To your health.”  We ate continental style, which is customary there.  We also left our napkins next to the plate as we ate, as opposed to putting them on our lap.

Our first course was the famous sauerkraut soup, Kapustinca, served in a bread bowl.  This is a hearty soup dish that could easily be a meal unto itself.  It was superb with pieces of sausage in the mix.  We savored every bite and loved the pieces of bread that naturally ended up in the soup from the bread bowl.  Kapustinca is a perfect dish on a cold, winter day.

For the main course we served the hearty, Bryndzove Halusky.  This dish is made of little potato dumplings that reminded us a little of gnocchi.  It is drenched in a sheep’s cheese for which Slovakia is famous.  It was topped with bacon drippings and bits, which made this a truly decadent bite. 

For dessert, we had apple slices that were first covered in a batter of egg and flour, fried in oil and then dipped in cinnamon and sugar.  I guess it is the batter covering the apples that gives it the name, “Apples in a Bathrobe.”  They were a true delight.  We enjoyed the apples slices with a cup of robust coffee, which is another beloved drink in Slovakia.  This was another perfect ending to our International Cuisine meal.

As we say goodbye to this intriguing little country in the middle of Europe, I leave you with a few Slovakian proverbs:

Consider each day as your best day.

Not he who begins, but he who finishes is the master.

Don’t praise what is yours; don’t belittle what is another’s.

and

The truth rises to the surface like oil on water.

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene Longacre

How did Poland get its name?

The full official name is Rzeczpospolita Polska which translates to, “The Commonwealth of Poland.”  It is believed that Poland (Polska) gets its name from the Polans, a tribe that inhabited the basin of the Warta River back in the eighth and ninth centuries (in today’s western Poland.)  The name Polans is believed to come from the proto-Slavic word “pol’e” which meant field or plain.  The name of the tribe is usually referred to as “people of the fields.”  In the tenth century rulers of the most powerful dynasty, the Piasts, formed a kingdom which was called Polonia, the land of the Polans, Poland.

Where is Poland Located?

Poland is located in central Europe in both the northern and eastern hemispheres.  She has a border on the Baltic Sea to the north.  Poland has many neighbors which include the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad to the north, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine to the east, Slovakia and Czech Republic to the south and Germany to the west.  Poland is quite large, ninth largest in all of Europe.

Poland was aptly named as a people of the fields or plains because much of the land is exactly that.  It is a low-lying country with 91% of the land 300m above sea level.  Much of the Polish plain is used for agriculture.  Despite it being lowlands, the country has a versatile natural environment.  In the north, on the Baltic Sea, it has spectacular sandy beaches and busy harbors.  Glaciers have formed lakes and low hills.  In fact, small lakes dot the whole of northern Poland, especially in the region known as Masurian Lake District, where there are more than 2000 lakes.  This is also the area where the only primeval forests remain in Europe.  There are mountains along the southern border.  The Carpathian Mountains is where the highest peak is found, called Mount Rysy.  This area offers wonderful hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

A Brief History of Poland

The early history of Poland is akin to the game of thrones.  In fact it may even be more fascinating.  The history dates back to the tenth century where the first documented ruler was Mieskzo I from the Piast dynasty.   He is responsible for bringing Christianity to the region.  The first coronation took place in Krakow in 1025 and the Kingdom of Poland began.

There were many wars and uprisings throughout Poland’s history.  There was a time during the 16^th century considered to be the Golden Age.  The territory of Poland greatly expanded with the forming of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.  They ruled nearly one million miles of territory.  Poland attracted many refugees escaping from religious persecution, as they had a policy of religious tolerance.  It was during this time that the capital of Poland was relocated to Warsaw from Krakow to be more centrally located.  It was sometime in the mid-17^th century that the commonwealth went into decline.  The Swedes invaded Poland and left the country in ruins.  In the 18^th century, Poland gradually fell under foreign influence.  The rulers of Russia, Prussia and Austria invaded Poland and partitioned its territory.  Poland was literally wiped off the map from 1795 until 1918.

Despite this oppression, the nation continued to exist as a cultural community.  Poles engaged in armed resistance.  They fought with Napoleon organizing the November and January uprisings, both of which failed.  The outbreak of World War I gave Poland a chance to regain its freedom which she did when the second Polish Republic was established on November 11^th, 1918.  The freedom however did not last long.  On September 1, 1939 Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany and World War II began.  Six million Polish citizens died during the war.  After the war ended, Poland fell under Soviet control until the fall of the Soviet Union.  The first elections of the Third Polish Republic were held in 1989.  At this time Poland began to transition from a communist state to a capitalist one.

Today the ethnic makeup of the nation is very different from what it was prior to World War II. Today it is almost mono-ethnic with Poles making up 97 percent of the population.  Prior to 1939, Poland was a multi-ethnic country with a third being minorities.  Due to the atrocities of the Soviet and German genocides, changing around the borders after the war, along with ethnic policies of the communist government, Poland’s minorities were almost completely wiped out.  The Jewish community, of over 3 million, was almost completely eradicated.  Today the Jewish population in Poland is estimated between 6000 and 10,000 souls.  The total population of Poland today is about 38 million with 15 to 20 million Poles living elsewhere.  The language they speak is Polish and considered to be one of the most difficult languages to learn.

Poland now has a new constitution which was signed in 1997.  They are a member of NATO and the European Union. Perhaps Polksa has finally found her way to peace, stability and happiness.

Polish Culture

Since the creation of the country back in 966 and through the adoption of Christianity, it is no surprise that belief in God has been a mainstay throughout time.  Today the majority of Poles, 90 percent, are Roman Catholic. The balance make up other Christian religions, such as Eastern Orthodox and Protestants.  There are still some small Muslim and Jewish populations as well.  Today, freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution.

Since the country is mostly Roman Catholic, its most important holidays include: Easter, All Saints and Souls Day and Christmas.   On All Saints and Souls Day, observed on November 1^st and 2^nd respectively, Poles reunite with family members to honor the deceased and place candles and flowers on their grave sites.  Easter is a special time of year for religious observances, as well as the return of spring.  City centers come alive with festivals and markets upheld by unique traditions of coloring eggs and burning a giant doll.  The doll is called  Marzanna and represents the incarnation of the old Slavic goddess of winter, plague and death. To protect themselves they partake in an old fashioned witch burning, followed by a drowning of the doll to ensure a timely arrival of spring and a good harvest.

Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season.  Poles often use this time to fast or at least give up a favorite food.  People clean their homes and decorate for Christmas.  Once again the city centers come alive with lights, Christmas markets and cheer. Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas Day in Poland.  It is known as Wigilia and a time for a feast after the first star in the evening sky is seen.  After dinner, gifts are exchanged and people head off to midnight mass.

Men and women’s folk costumes are brought out during the holidays and other celebrations such as Independence Day, National Day and weddings.   The costumes called stoje ludowe are brightly colored with each region having a unique style.  A careful observer can even tell from the type of head coverings where a woman is from and her marital status.  Folk dancing and music is a treasured part of the culture.

Why Visit Poland?

Poland has six different seasons, which include the four normal ones. They also have one called “early spring” and another called “early winter.”   Poland has great biological diversity with something special to offer during each season.  There are 23 national parks and the most primeval forest areas are under legal protection.  The bio-variety of the flora and fauna is astonishing.  There are 75,000 species of plants, 39,000 micro-organisms and fungi (it is no wonder foraging for mushrooms is a favorite national pastime) and around 33,000 animal species.

The numerous lakes make for wonderful kayaking, sailing and fishing.  Some of their most cherished animals are: the white tailed eagle, a symbol of Poland since the beginning, white storks, which are considered good luck if they nest on your home before they make their way to Africa in winter, bison, the largest mammal in all of Europe, which lives in the primeval forests of Bialowieza, and around 600 gray wolves that are under legal protection and live in the remote and forested areas of eastern Poland.

Poland is home to “The Black Madonna,” their holiest relic.  The Black Madonna is housed in the Jasna Gora Monastery.  She is famous for her darkened skin and two scars on her cheek.  Many miracles have been attributed to the Black Madonna which is why thousands flock to pray in the presence of this icon.  It is said that the Black Madonna came from the table used by the Holy Family or a copy of the original panel, painted by Luke, the Apostle. The dark tones of the skin are attributed to a legend that involved a fire in which the icon was the only thing left unscathed, except for the discoloration of her skin.

Poland is home to numerous UNESCO world heritage sites.  They range from spectacular medieval castles to protected ancient forests, as well as the infamous Auschwitz Birkenau Camp (Nazi concentration and extermination camp.)  The old towns of Krakow and Warsaw are big draws, as well as the world’s oldest salt mines.  There are so many wonderful things to see and do in Poland or you can just stop and sit on a park bench to hear Chopin playing in the capital city of Warsaw.

Polish Cuisine

Polish cuisine is as interesting as its past and highly influenced by her neighbors and others who invaded Poland.  It also is influenced by the Roman Catholic rituals of feasting and fasting.  During fasting time, meat is not eaten, so many meatless dishes and fish dishes, have become part of the Polish cuisine.  Cereal grains are probably among the most important dietary staples, which include barley, buckwheat, wheat and rye.  Their national drink, vodka, is made from distilled rye.  Other very important agricultural staples include: potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, beets, carrots and cucumbers.  Dill pickles are famous from Poland.  Sour cream is served with just about everything and the diet is heavy in dairy, butter and cheese, especially sheep’s cheese.

Meat is also important in the diet, with pork being the most consumed meat, along with chicken, beef and duck.  The polish cuisine also loves pickled and smoked fish, especially herring.  Of course one of their most famous foods is kielbasa, also known as Polish sausage, with each region having their own specialty.

The Poles eat their main meal of the day around 4:00 pm and it is called obiad.  It usually begins with any one of their amazing, hearty soups.  White and red borscht soups are ubiquitous, as are others made from mushrooms, duck blood and clear broths.  Meat is often served as the main course and it could be their famous stew called bigos, also known as Polish Hunger’s stew or golabki.  This has cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat or golonka, fresh ham and is served with horseradish.  We of course cannot forget the famous pierogi, which is the most well known Polish food outside of Poland.  It is a dumpling filled with an array of fillings.  The Poles also love sweets and dessert is often served at the end of the meal with coffee or tea.  Cake is the most beloved dessert in Poland and comes in every imaginable flavor and texture, from cheesecake to pound cake,  They love them all.

So let’s enjoy a Polish meal:

The Menu

Starter

Bialy Barszcz (White Borscht Soup)

Main Course

Pierogi (Dumplings Stuffed with Sauerkrat and Mushrooms)

Kaczka Pieczona z jabtkami (Roast Duck with Apples and Potatoes)

Dessert

Kremowka (Papal Cake)

We set the scene with the colors of the Polish flag; red and white.  Red corn poppies adorned the table, as that is the national flower.  A cross represented the country’s religion, as well as a candle with the national emblem of the white eagle.  A few staple agricultural ingredients completed the scene.   We played Frederic Chopin softly in the background, as he is one of the most famous Poles, a composer and virtuoso pianist from the Romantic Era.

Our first course was the white borscht soup known as bialy barzcz.  I fell in love!  Potatoes are what make it white but it has flavors that hit every note of the palate.  I especially loved the kielbasa with fresh horseradish, as well as fresh dill.  This is a lovely soup that I will make often, especially on a cold winter day.

Next was the main course, a whole, roasted duck presented on a large platter with apples and potatoes.  The potatoes were cooked in the duck fat during roasting and the apples were the stuffing….. need I say more.

Alongside the duck the famous pierogi was served.  The famous Polish dumpling was stuffed with mushrooms, onion and sauerkraut.  It was boiled, then fried in butter and served with sour cream.  Simply scrumptious!

For dessert I made the cream cake called kremovka.  It is now known as the papal cake because of Poland’s most famous citizen, Pope John Paul II, now Saint Pope John Paul II, said he loved it!  Born as Karol Wojtkta, he and his school friends would stop at Hagenhuber’s Bakery where he would enjoy his favorite dessert.  This has a creamy custard filling in between puff pastry and is sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar.  A heavenly treat indeed!

After dinner we watched the movie “Schindlers List.”  The movie is an eye opening saga of a very difficult time in Poland during Nazi occupation, and how just a few people can make a world of difference.  If you have not seen the movie, I highly recommend it.

As we say good bye to this most unique and interesting country, I leave you with a few Polish proverbs:

Necessity is the mother of invention

When it’s your time, you have to go

and

What one thinks when sober, one says when drunk…

Until next time,

Do zobaczenia (“See you later” in Polish)

Deutschland means “of the people” and is what the Germans call their homeland. “Deutsch” is what they call themselves. Germany is located in central Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and lying between the Netherlands and Poland and the south of Denmark. Her other neighbors are Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France and Belgium. Germany is the second most populous country in all of Europe, after Russia, with over 82 million who call Germany home. The ethnicity is made up of over ninety percent Germans, two percent Turkish (as the second largest ethnic group) and the remainder, immigrants from neighboring countries.

German is the language they speak and is the third most popular language in the world. Five other countries list German as their official language. Germany has an intriguing and vast history. The region had been part of the Holy Roman Empire and actually did not unite as a singular country until 1871, when it became the German Empire. The princes of the German States gathered and proclaimed Wilhelm I of Prussia, as the German Emperor. In years to come the Imperial German Army became the most powerful military in Europe. The German economy was rapidly growing, as was German pride and intense nationalism.

Although Germans had been involved in many conflicts in conjunction with other empires, the newly formed German Empire payed a massive price for their involvement in World War I. In fact, they just recently finished paying off the huge reparations. After World War I, Germany suffered greatly in the early 1920s with hyperinflation. This occurred when they missed a reparation payment. Things happened so fast, that one could not make it to the store, with a wheel-barrel full of Deutsch marks, quickly enough to purchase a loaf of bread. People burned their marks to stay warm, as it was more cost effective than paying for heat. It was during this time that Adolf Hitler started his rise to power as head of the National Socialist German Workers Party or Nazi for short. The Germans were angry with the price of the war and when the Great Depression hit, unemployment was unbearable. Hitler was a spellbinding orator that told the Germans exactly what they wanted to hear. He was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

What transpired next was the rise of the Third Reich. Ethnic cleansing, anti-Semitism and genocidal atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis, became known as the Holocaust. Eleven million people were killed in Germany and surrounding countries during the Holocaust; 6 million were Jews, 1.1 million children, along with other groups targeted by the Nazis for termination such as, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, disabled people and Romas (Gypsies.) Millions of others, that were not exterminated, were tortured and suffered for years in German concentration camps. This horrific chapter of Germany’s history has been difficult to overcome. Yet we can’t forget that many other countries and empires around the world have also endured similar atrocities and somehow managed to evolve as a people. Today, Holocaust denial, using the Hitler salute of “Heil Hitler”, or displaying the swastika, constitutes a crime in Germany. We can only hope that this dark past will be eclipsed by the decency, progress and hard work of Germans today.

After World War II, in 1945, Germany was divided into four zones between the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), The United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) and France. The capital city, Berlin, was an island in the heart of East Germany. In 1949, West Germany, which included the former UK, US and French zones, united as the Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany. The German Democratic Republic or East Germany included the USSR zone. East Germany lived in isolation for many years while West Germany began its recovery and explored free enterprise. The famous words of Ronald Regan, commanding Gorbachev to “Tear down this wall” (referring to the Berlin wall that was built in 1961 by the USSR to keep East Germans from going to West Germany) contributed to the end of the Cold War. Germany was truly unified between East and West when the wall was torn down and all four powers formally relinquished their rights on March 15, 1991.

Today Germany is thriving. She has one of the highest levels of education, technological development and economic prosperity. Social programs include: universal healthcare, unemployment compensation and child benefits. Germans have made tremendous contributions to the world in multiple areas. Classical music, for example, gave us the genius of Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Strauss and Schumann, to name a few of the world’s most famous composers and all were German. Engineering innovation was another contribution in the automotive industry with the likes of: Porsche, BMW and Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen. If you call for a taxi in Germany, it will likely be a Mercedes Benz and any one of these fine automobiles would be a thrill on the world famous Autobahn, where there is no speed limit. Architecture is another area of pride in Germany. There are over 150 castles in Germany and cathedrals and buildings designed in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles, are found all over the country. A prime example of their world class architecture, is the famous Brandenburg gate. This former city gate is now a symbol of Berlin’s unity. Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in 1439 was epochal. Einstein, probably the most recognized scientist in the world, was born in Ulm, Germany. The list of famous German inventions and people goes on and on which is why Deutschland is also known as, “Das land der dichter und denker” (The country of poets and thinkers.)

As we look into the cuisine of this most interesting nation, we find that it is as varied as its past. For hundreds of years, the German Empire consisted of smaller kingdoms, sub-units and duchies. The people of these various regions still carry on their traditions and specialty cuisines. Some might say German food is a bit heavy and there is some truth to that. However, today the modern German cuisine is International and uses a wide variety of fresh ingredients. The cuisine also changes with the seasons; game meat, mushrooms, and certain vegetables, like white asparagus, are wildly popular in the summer. Cabbage, beets, and turnips are native to the region and used year round. Potatoes were introduced by a botanist in 1589 and have become a staple. The potato makes up a large part of the German diet, cooked in numerous delicious ways from pancakes to dumplings, soups and salads. Germans also make over 300 varieties of bread and even have bread museums. Pork is the number one meat consumed and it no surprise, (I think the first thing that came to my mind regarding German food was bratwurst and sauerkraut.) The Germans are famous for wurst (sausage) and they have over 1400 different varieties.

Clearly neighboring countries, including Russia and Turkey, influenced German cuisine, especially in the eastern regions. Back in the 1960s, when Germany was enjoying a huge economic boom, they suffered from an acute labor shortage. The Germans made a trade agreement with Turkey for labor, which is why the Turks are the second largest ethnic group in Germany today.

Depending on what statistic you read, Germany ranks either second or third in the world for beer consumption. Germany is the birthplace of a number of beer varieties. Brews were crafted according to a 16th century, Bavarian law known as Reinheitsgebot or “the purity law.” The law decreed that beer could only be brewed from barley, hops and water. Brewers could only use the yeast available from the air.

One of their most famous beer festivals in Germany is Oktoberfest. It actually begins in September and well may be the largest festival in the world. The festival has been held in Munich each year since Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hilldburghausen on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities, held on the fields in front of the city gates, to celebrate the happy royal event. Today some six million visitors converge to enjoy huge steins of beer called “mass” (a liter in size) along with delicious German fares at the Oktoberfest celebration. If you go, know that if you order a beer with your index finger they will bring you two. If you just want one, you need to indicate that with just your thumb. German beer must also compete with their brandy and Schnapps as well as their world famous, German wines.

So let’s enjoy a traditional Deutsch meal:

The Menu
Starter
Brezeln (Pretzels and beer, served with mustard)

Main
Sauerbraten (Marinated beef with gravy)

Kartoffelkloesse (German potato dumplings)

Rotkohl (German red cabbage)

Dessert
KirschKuchen (Black forest cake)

We set our table with colors of the German flag; red, black and gold. Our décor included various instruments to honor their musical genius. We added a Christmas tree cookie cutter, as they are responsible for the Tannenbaum tradition. A soccer ball was included for Germany’s most recent win in the World Cup. (They have more soccer fan clubs than anywhere else in the world.) I wanted to showcase the Angela Merkel, Barbie doll, but I could not locate one. She is the first woman Chancellor of Germany and head of the European Union. Forbes lists her as one of the most powerful people on the planet. She has been very popular in her country however recently she faces huge opposition with yet another proposed Greek bailout on the table. Lastly, the German coat of arms rounded out our décor.

We ate continental style, which is customary there, as we listened to a variety of classical music. For the first course, we lifted our beer steins and toasted “prost” which means “cheers” in German. It is considered rude to drink before toasting and when you clink your glass you should raise your elbow to shoulder height. Our first course was the famous German pretzel. This thick, doughy pretzel, hot from the oven, sprinkled with coarse salt and dipped in mustard is perfect with a good German beer. By the way, you should cut your pretzel with your knife and eat it with your fork. It is rare to see people eating with their hands in Germany.

We brought out the main course and said “Guten Appetiit” which means “Enjoy your meal.” We savored the delicious roasted meat called sauerbraten. This meat is so unbelievably tender after being marinated for days and then cooked, low and slow. The result is a lovely roast with an awesome gravy to go with it. It was served with outstanding, potato dumplings that curiously are made with a homemade crouton inside. Although the crouton was also delicious, I wasn’t really sure why it was added to the dumpling. It was awesome by itself, especially dipped in the gravy from the sauerbraten. It is important to note, that when eating in Germany, you should only cut off one piece of meat at a time, and be sure to clean your plate. So you should only take what you think you will really eat.

For a side dish we served boiled, red cabbage. It was perfectly cooked, so that it still had a slight crunch to it and the flavor of apple, which was cooked with it, made a lovely combination.

For dessert, we feasted on black forest cake! This cake is nothing like the black forest cake you normally find at your local bakery. In other words, it is not made with a cherry pie filling. Traditionally the cake is made with a cherry brandy found in the Black Forest region. I made ours using Morello cherries, that are also from the region but do not include the alcohol. The result was a keeper; a moist and most delectable cake and the perfect way to end our German meal.

As we say goodbye to Germany, we do so with a better understanding of what the German people have endured. Sometimes it is said that Germans come across as unfriendly but that is furthest from the truth. They are simply up-front and hard-working people. Time is managed carefully and punctuality is very important. Perhaps that is why they have one of the largest economies in the world.

Until next week
Warmest regards,
Darlene

As we journey to Austria, the first image that comes to mind is Julie Andrews twirling on that spectacular, verdant mountain top singing, “the hills are alive…” in the iconic movie “The Sound of Music”. That scene is an incredibly vivid image showcasing the beauty of this small landlocked country. Located in Southern Central Europe, it is just 32,000 square miles, much consisting of the mountainous region of the Eastern Alps. Austria shares borders with eight European countries; Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Liechtenstein.

Ninety eight percent of the population of Austria is German, which is also their official language. The majority of her people are Roman Catholic, with a small, minority Protestant population. According to Austrian law, any child over the age of fourteen can freely choose his or her religion.

Austria’s capital city of Vienna, located on the banks of the Danube River, was once the political and economic center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867-1918. What must be known is the significance of the musical innovation spawned there during the 18th century. Vienna was the hub for classical music where musical genius flourished. Masters, such as Ludwig Van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Schubert and Strauss graced this city. Their music was played in one of the most beautiful and ornate concert halls in the world, the Musilverein, in Vienna. It is known to be the "Golden Sound in the Golden Hall," where even today the world’s finest musicians aspire to perform.

Vienna is a city that holds the distinction of having a cuisine specially named in her honor. Today they serve modern traditional Viennese dishes with the principles of nouvelle cuisine called the new Viennese Cuisine or “neve Winer Küche.” Austrian cuisine is different and derived from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, heavily influenced by Hungarian, Czech, Jewish and Italian cuisines.

Austria is home of the unbelievably beautiful ski area of Innsbruck which is famous for its Christmas markets. Every Advent in the historic part of Innsbruck, in front of the famous Golden Roof and surrounded by beautifully preserved medieval facades, you will come across the Old Town Christmas Market. Strolling through the market you will find Christmas ornaments, handicrafts and other winter treats. Traditional dishes such as Kiachln (fried dough pastry) and a mug of Glühwein (mulled wine) will keep you warm while mingling with the locals and making new friends.

Austria also has a wine making tradition where small wine producing estates are not required to have a special license to sell their own wine. This dates back to a decree from 1784. There are as many as 20,000 private vintners making their living selling wine. And Austria is known for her beer as well with many special brews dating back for generations and breweries that dot the country side. They have a tradition of hanging a wreath on the door to let you know that a new batch of brew is available for tasting. In that spirit, the appetizer I chose for our Austrian meal would be commonly served in one of these tasting rooms.

When choosing the meal for Austria I thought it would be easy. I could just cook the items mentioned in Sound of Music’s, “Favorite Things” song and clearly that had to be spot on. Come to find out, there was some poetic license taken in that song. Although schnitzel is considered the national dish of Austria, Austrians would never eat it with noodles, they eat it with potatoes. I suppose there was no creative way to make “potato” rhyme with “schnitzel”. Lucky for us, the crisp apple strudel is in fact a wonderful Viennese and Austrian dessert.

And so here we go, off to a wonderful Austrian meal,’ mahlzeit’, ‘Guten Appetit’,

The Menu

Appetizer
Austrian Liptauer Cheese Served with Austrian Black Bread

Side Salad
Gerkensalat (Cucumber Salad)

Main Course
Wiener Schnitzel 
(Breaded Veal Cutlets)

Kartoffelsalat (Warm Potato Salad)

Dessert
Altwiener Apfelstrudel
Traditional Viennese Apple Strudel

We began with a traditional toast “Prost .” For this meal we chose a full bodied, Viennese style beer. Our meal was eaten Continental style, as would be customary in Austria.

The Liptauer cheese and caraway seeds imbued a unique flavor that would make a wonderful appetizer for any occasion. The main meal, schnitzel with warm potato and cucumber salad, went lovely together. One could use any type of meat to make the schnitzel because there is just something so delicious about breaded and fried anything. The cucumber salad also had a sprinkling of caraway seeds and had an almost sweet and sour flavor.

After our delicious, crisp, apple strudel, we sang “Edelweiss,” which come to find out is not the national anthem of Austria but was written for the movie “The Sound of Music.” The real national Anthem of Austria is called “Land der Berge Land am Strome”. Edelweiss is however, Austria’s national flower.

For me, “the Sound of Music” is probably my all-time favorite movie! I come from a family of six kids, three boys, three girls, and I am the baby. Way back when, my middle sister got the album “The Sound of Music” for Christmas one year. Unfortunately, as a teenager, she was more into Strawberry Alarm Clock and Carol King and needless to say was a bit disappointed with her Christmas present that she had so cleverly discerned was a record album. Lucky for me, I got the album and learned every word of every song, sang and danced to it so many times, I couldn’t count. However, from that point forward in my family if you received something you didn’t really like, someone would ask, “oh no, is this the Sound of Music?” Of course, after my sister’s teenage years, she too came to love the soundtrack and we all watch the movie every Christmas. If you have never seen it, serve up a warm slice of apple strudel and a cup of Glühwein and enjoy the essence of Austria.

Auf Wiedersehen darling,
Warmest regards,
Darlene